When Oblong looked into offsetting their own emissions, they found the process overly complicated and lacking in integrity. So they developed Oblong Trees, a company that streamlines offsetting, doesn’t get too bogged down in precise calculations, and makes a tangible difference. Importantly, Oblong Trees recognises that there is limited space in the UK, and that trees planted on the other side of the world are just as vital for combatting climate change as any in your own backyard.

We are delighted to be assisting Oblong Trees in their aim to plant trees worldwide.

This year, we planted 500 trees on the behalf of Oblong Trees UK at 2 sites: Hindmarsh, South Australia and Perth, Western Australia. This brings their total tree tally for Australia to 4,905!

Hindmarsh, SA | 400 trees

Thanks to Oblong Trees, Friends of Hindmarsh River Estuary in South Australia planted 400 trees which were a mixture of species indigenous to the district, and grown from locally collected seeds. Species included; Golden wattle, Seaberry saltbush, Banksia, Kangaroo thorn, Drooping sheoak, Manna Gums and Swamp Paperbacks. The native trees and shrubs were planted at several locations along the Hindmarsh River Estuary.

The planting will provide protective nesting vegetation for the threatened Hooded Plover and species such as Crested Shrike Tit, Black-chinned Honeyeater and Yellow Tailed Black Cockatoos.

Many thanks. Your support is invaluable in assisting our group to improve the ecological environment of a the much-loved Hindmarsh River in SA. We now have a series of signs along the estuary, inviting the public to download the Birdlife Australia Bird-data app and participate in surveys.

Mark Richards | Co-convenor  | Friends of Hindmarsh River Estuary

Perth, WA | 100 trees

The trees were planted at the Kaarakin Black Cockatoo Conservation Centre in Perth, WA.

Kaarakin is situated on a 41 acre bushland site, that was a former wildlife park. The site was once extremely degraded. The Kaarakin team have spent many years revegetating it back towards its former biodiversity rich state. Kaarakin are focusing on replanting to create wildlife corridors for small species of mammals, reptiles and birds to safely travel through and back into the regional park adjacent (Banyowla Regional Park).

Kaarakin rescue wild black cockatoos in distress (due to injury from cars, cats, ravens and other birds) and release them back into the wild once they are healthy and well.

We are already seeing the site provide food for all three of our endemic and threatened black cockatoos as well as the return of several small bird species such as Red Capped and Scarlet Robins, Western Spinebills and Yellow Rumped Thornbills.

We have also seen several reptiles including King Skinks, Shingleback Lizards and even the odd Goulds Monitor. We have seen increased activity of  the Southern Brown Bandicoot and Brush Tailed Possums. We hope to one day encourage back the endangered Western Quoll.

Thank you to Oblong for assisting in our revegetation project … all the way from the UK.

Sam Clarke /Education Officer / Kaarakin Black Cockatoo Conservation Centre

We hope that in the long term, the site will allow for safe travel for all species while also providing food, shelter and habitat for species wishing to permanently live at Kaarakin. The aim is to restore the bushland back to its former glory, so much so that it will be hard to tell it was ever cleared in the first place! Now that would be an accomplishment!

Our climate needs big, global thinkers right now, with big, global goals.  Thank you to Dan Whiteman, managing director at Oblong UK Ltd, for initiating this partnership and entrusting Fifteen Trees to be your Australian planters.

Here at Fifteen Trees, we are always happy to have a chat about the best way to incorporate sustainability into your organisation. We can help you to connect with the broader community and reduce some of your company’s environmental impacts. If interested, please contact Colleen at <[email protected]>.

Writer: Colleen B. Filippa

With a background in Environmental Science from Melbourne University (MSC), Colleen is the Founding Director of Fifteen Trees. In 2009, after 20 years in primary, secondary and tertiary education institutions, Colleen left the classroom to start the company. Fifteen Trees is a social enterprise assisting individuals and companies to reduce their carbon footprint by supporting community groups such as Landcare, schools and environmental networks.